Mid-Day Minute - Dec 1

U.S. Housing Still Growing; Kraft Still the Favorite; Dubai Crisis Ups Risk Awareness

By IBT Staff Reporter On 12/01/09 AT 3:26 PM

U.S. pending home sales highest in 3-1/2 years

Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose unexpectedly to their highest level in 3-1/2 years in October, a survey showed on Tuesday, suggesting the housing market recovery was gaining steam. Read Full Article here.

Kraft still favorite for Cadbury deal: Bernstein

Kraft Foods Inc is favorite to take over Cadbury Plc despite interest from Hershey Co and Ferrero, and talk of Nestle SA involvement, said analyst Andrew Wood at Sanford Bernstein. Read Full Article here.

Dubai crisis to shape 2010 global risk mindset

Dubai's debt crisis may not sow lasting global contagion, but it may colour a 2010 investment landscape where asset managers will likely differentiate more between risks rather than embracing them indiscriminately. Read Full Article here.

Obama to lay out long-awaited Afghan plan

President Barack Obama plans to announce on Tuesday that he will send about 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in a long-awaited war strategy shift that he hopes will defeat the Taliban and allow for a U.S. exit. Read Full Article here.

Geely taps China banks to back $1.8 billion Volvo deal

Geely, the Chinese carmaker picked as the preferred bidder for Ford Motor's Volvo unit, is seeking at least $1 billion in loans from Chinese banks to finance its $1.8 billion bid, sources said on Tuesday. Read Full Article here.